Policy & Press

IMHSA welcomes the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Taskforce report

The Independent Mental Health Services Alliance (IMHSA) has today welcomed the publication of Future in Mind, the report by the Children and Young People’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Taskforce report. IMHSA Chair Joy Chamberlain said:

“IMHSA welcomed the opportunity to be involved with the Taskforce’s work and we are encouraged by the publication of the Taskforce’s report, which, above all, highlights the need for a cultural shift in the CAMHS system at a local and national level. In order for the taskforce’s vison to be enacted, providers across all tiers, schools, GPs, police services, and commissioners will need to work collaboratively to improve early intervention and patient access to high quality, appropriate, local CAMHS provision.

“The taskforce rightly highlights that current commissioning arrangements, payment incentives and barriers between services and tiers mean there is a lack of accountability and children can, and do, fall through the net. This is increasing waiting times and increasing the variability in access to essential services, resulting in a life-long effect on many vulnerable young people’s ability to achieve positive outcomes.

“IMHSA has also called for increased funding for mental health services and challenged NHS England’s moratorium on new services and as such we welcome the report’s recommendation to address the historic disinvestment in this area. We hope that a clear national policy directive for CAMHS is put in place and communicated locally, supported by sufficient funding. By providing high quality, appropriate and local care, we will be able to reduce the number of young people becoming adults with serious mental health problems, lessening the demand for long term intensive support.

“It is essential that the Government now works in partnership with providers to improve commissioning of CAMHS services, ensures that children have access to appropriate local provision and that available data on CAMHS provision is fully updated.

“IMHSA is committed to working with the Government to meet these challenges and to ensure that all children and young people with a mental health need are able to access the best quality of care possible.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. For more information, please contact Rebecca Brake at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0203 102 3621

2. IMHSA is a leading group of nine independent mental health service providers. Members include The Ansel Group, Cygnet, Huntercombe, Partnerships in Care, Priory Group, Alpha Hospitals, The Retreat, In Mind and Glencare.

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One of IMHSA's main areas of focus is on improving access and outcomes for mental health patients.